Collapsible parachute attachment for aeroplanes



C. FURLEW COLLAPSIBLE PARACHUTE ATTACHMENT FOR AEROPLANBS Oct. 14, 1930.

Filed March 6, 1929 2 Sheets$heet 1 attoznugo Patented Oct. 14, 1930 GISROFUBLEW, F DYERSBURG, TENNESSEE COLLAPSIBLE PARACHUTE ATTACHMENT FOR AEROPLANES Application fi led Marcus, 1929. Serial No. 344,813.

The invention appertains to heavier than air machines, chiefly of the typeequipped with-planes, and provides for a safe descent in an emergency or when desired.

The invention. contemplates a parachute mounted upon the machine, as a part thereof, and normally collapsed, but automatically expansible independently of air pressure, whereby its opening is positively assured. c

0 The invention provides a parachute which while normally folded, is in position for instant use, being urged into action'by spring "means, and held inactive by latch means which when released admits of the parachute instantly expanding under the action of the spring means to assure a safe landing of the machine.

While the drawing illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be un- 30 derstood that in adapting the means to meet specific needsand requirements, the design may be varied and such other changes in the minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the invention as claimed, without departing from the spirit thereof;

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and the drawing hereto attached, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of an aeroplane equipped with a self expanding parachute embodying the invention.

Figure2 is a side view of the machine showing the parachute expanded.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical, transverse sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 2, the parachute being collapsedor folded and the outer ends of the wings being broken away.

" Figure '4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the joint formed between the sections of the parachute.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designated in the several views of thedrawings by like reference characters.

The numeral 1 designates the body of the flying machine and 2 the wings. These parts may be of any Well known construction and arrangement and are illustrated to demonstrate the application of the invention.

A ring 3 is supported above the machine in any determinate way as by means of straps 4.. The parachute when collapsed lies within the plane of the ring 3 and is connected thereto in any preferred manner. The parachute is of sectional formation and in the preferable construction embodies two similar or like parts. Each of the sections presents the outline of a quarter sphere. The bottom edge of the sections is attached to the fixed ring 3, whereas the moving edge of each of the sections is attached to a semi-circular bar 5. The semi-circular bars 5 are pivotally connected at their ends, as indicated at 6, and form a ring of less diameter than the ring 3. The fabric portion 7 of the parachute is adapted to fold within the space formed between the outer fixed ring 3 and the inner sectional ring, as indicated most clearly in Figure 3 of the drawings, so as to be out of the way and protected. When the parachute is expanded it presents the appearance of a semi-sphere so as to function in a manner well understood.

Contractile helical springs 8 normally tend to hold the parachute expanded and these 3 springs are under tension when the parachute '1s collapsed or folded, as indlcated 1n Figure 3 of the drawings, whereby to instantly expand the parachute when releasedfrom the restraining means. Arms 9 project upwardly from the ring 3 at diametricallyopposite points and a pair of springs 8 are connected at one end to each of the arms 9 and at the opposite end to the section 5. A latch 10 is provided for each of the sections 5 and is pivoted to the fixed ring 3. The latches 10 engage each of the parts 5 of the inner sectional ring and hold them in the plane of 'the outer fixed ring 3 against the tension of the springs 8. The latches 10 are spring actuated and are operable from a convenient point by means of cords 11 which pass over suitably disposed guide pulleys and are attached to a drum 12 which when rotated to exert a'pull upon the cord 11 operates the latches 10 to release the parts 5 which are instantly independently or" any air pressure. The sections 5' overlap when thrown upwardly as 1 indicated most clearly in Figure 4: Y 0 the drawings. A stop 13 on one of the sections 5 engages the companion part and limits the movement of the sections when thrown into operative position by means oi the springs 8.

By, locating arachute above; the machine it is out of the way and the load is susm pended therebelow when the parachute is eX-' The spring means-Zion expandlngv panded.

the parachute may be of any determinate construction anaarr'a-ngemen-t""found most advantageous in the adaptationpf the inyen I, 15 tion we particular makeor type ofmachine lcherla h means, fe h l ng he narachu c yr dlah the. ontrol for halat h m ans may; f v meet xist ng, hd ti hs In a mergen y Q0 the-latch me n ara pe a ed to leas he ectiahsl. of: he p a h te, and. he p g instantly operate to expand the} parachutefwhereby; itunne essaryfor the machine oi rblp; 9 eauseq he pa achu e to expand \4 ;0r.ehwer the ar g ment, re-

Glades ny p ssib litybt he par a ec ing entangled! s fr que tly happe s a h auseht epa-ra ha e p hpetly fun ti n- "l-laving des rib d h t hi ehtiah, 1

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ttachment for a flying maso chine including-spaced concentric rings, the

ter ing ing fi ed andt ei ring} compris ng semi-circular bars.v pivotally, con- 1 heate t h r in er e ani xpansiblenalt h te a ma ly eaa d hetweea' h tihgaahdst v comprising parts, each. ofjsaid 'iartsf'when expanded approximating the outline; of;v a

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